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I think I can safely say that this is not the yellow flowered Romulea macowanii alticola. The source is
reliable, but it seems that the seed was not. This is Romulea bulbocodium, a widespread (common) species from the Mediterranean countries. This is the most popular (common) colour in cultivation. It can flower in the depths of winter, when it is a striking thing. By March it is less unusual (common). In January 1988 the species was given the Award of Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society. The description says: "as a plant for flower in the Alpine house. Leaves linear, c. 12-13cm x 1.5mm, dark green, strongly ridged. Scape simple, 4.5-6cm usually somewhat curved. Outer spathe 20-21mm long, largely herbaceous, with a very narrow hyaline margin, inner spathe 18mm long, largely hyaline with a broad green midrib. Perianth segments 3cm x 7.5-8mm, (more or less) elliptic, obtuse, all brilliant violet (86D) inside with the basal third orange-yellow; outer segments light greenish-yellow (1C) externally, feathered dark purple; inner segments have some feathering externally but otherwise colour as on the inner surface. Plant exhibited was from a wild collection in Sicily." The Pacific Bulb Society says: "Romulea bulbocodium (L.) Sebast. & Mauri is found in rocky or sandy places in the Mediterranean basin. The flowers, which are among the largest of the genus, are usually bluish lilac with a yellow center and are shaded purple or green on the outside. |
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| 28th March 2010 | ||
